Maximizing Brain Function

[Cheryle Geiger]

Are you questioning your brain function? Is that because you are 50 something, and you are noticing a change?Young people may be experiencing some of the same issues. The importance of nutrition for the best brain, and body function is crucial to healthy aging. School age children may be sent off to school with a bowl of sugared cereal and a kiss goodbye. Baby boomers, we are not out of this picture, you may have the same bad eating habits, this is alarming, and I will tell you why.The brain is an amazing organ, our brain cells continue to die and are not replaced. Our memory on the other hand last our lifetime. We have billions of brain cells called neurons, did you know that our brains can hold more information in it than all the books in our libraries?Our brains produce hundreds of chemicals called neurotransmitters that affect our lives in so many ways; our attitudes, they can act as a pain killer, an attitude adjuster, and they can suppress our appetites naturally. How this works is that these neurotransmitters are made of up nutrients that allow information to pass to different circuits in an organized manner. Our bodies are intricate, they function their best when we give them the proper nutrients to work with. Neurotransmitters are made up of nutrients, that is why I concentrate so much of my energy on educating about the importance of nutrition. If we don’t get proper nutrients into our bodies on a daily basis trouble will arise.What happens when we go day in and day out without the proper nutrients that our bodies need to function at their peek?To reiterate, neurotransmitters are chemicals that the brain manufactures. Disorders that people are stricken with are caused by nutritional deficiencies. To name of few; fatigue, weight gain, moodiness, irritability, insomnia, anxiety, depression, memory loss, loss of appetite, headaches, hair loss, impaired wound healing, arthritis, high cholesterol levels, diabetes, heart disease, acne, and growth impairment.We’ve all heard about antioxidants and their importance. I cannot stress this enough, we need XL amounts of antioxidants on a daily basis. Just walking down the street you are bombarded perhaps by a gardener using round up on weeds, this gets in the air, how about all the exhaust coming from our cars, must I go on? These “free radicals” form in the bloodstream as toxins and contribute to impaired brain function. This garbage can damage and kill neurons.Antioxidants kill free radicals and protect our bodies from oxidation. Like that apple that is cut in half and it sits on the counter, and gets browner by the minute, it is deteriorating. That is what happens to our cells if we do not get them the proper protection that they need.A diet that is full of nutritional value will improve both brain and body function. A diet rich in nutrients should include whole grains, nuts and seeds, legumes, millet, fresh fatty fish (not farmed fish), lean meat, turkey and chicken, brown rice, green tea, dark green leafy vegetables, and all the other veggies that are dark with color, plus fresh fruit, and if possible make these choices organic.Contributing to a diet rich in fresh whole foods are supplements, I prefer liquid supplements, the go to work the minute they touch your tongue.Adding to this abundant diet of fresh whole foods, is exercise. I encourage walking, running, hiking, biking and strength training. There are so many activities that we can do to promote healthy aging, these are just a few of my favorites.Last but not least keep yourself in a healthy environment that promotes stimulation, so you avoid boredom, and depression.

[Kathy Ashley]

Cheryle Geiger wrote: The fifth corps did the V.E. Irons cleanse, I still use their products. Being Pro Active is the key! Its huge in fact."

Hehehe. I just bought the colon cleanse for the first time in several years. Used to do it faithfully every year or so, but haven't for quite a while. I enjoyed Lessons in Living, and think that the way we were taught to eat in the Corps was very beneficial, considering that most of us came out of a junk food culture. I enjoy your blog, Cheryle, you clearly have a passion for your material and judging by how terrific you look, also practice what you preach. Kudos!

Kathy

[Kathy Ashley]

Steve asked: "You guys ever use ground flax seed meal? I add it to oatmeal or yogurt everyday... it's awesome."

I take flax oil capsules. When I had horses, ( I don't anymore) I used to feed them ground flax meal every spring. The farmers co-op ground the meal from flax seeds right on site. Can't tell ya how it tasted, but it sure smelled good! It also helped them shed out their winter coats faster and their new spring coats came in so sleek and shiny. Definitely good stuff.

Kathy

[Cheryle Geiger]

The fifth corps did the V.E. Irons cleanse, I still use their products. Being Pro Active is the key! Its huge in fact.

[Jerry and Margie McSherry]

Thanks Cheryle, enjoyed your info...Couldn't agree more...I try to encourage my kids to get something raw in their bodies at least once a day, if not more..I send them off to college with their Antioxidants as well as other nutrients, a work in progress!!! As for myself, ( thanks to my brother Andy) i do a cleansing fast, twice a year. (Victor Irons)
Some daily stretching, use of a slant board ( Corps was given info on benefits of slant board) and of course Knowles breath training ( corps notes) And a little wine ( Pindar, long island wine) and some coffee.. Guess ya gotta have that balance...LOL Jerry Mac.